Living Faithfully: The Power of a Godly Witness

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we celebrated the transformative power of faith through the testimonies and baptisms of Nick and his son, Hayes. Their stories remind us of the profound impact a godly witness can have within a family and community. As we delve into 1 Peter 3, we are reminded of the apostle's exhortation to live in a manner that reflects our genuine conversion and relationship with God. This call to live differently is rooted in God's design, which exists for His glory and our good. God's ordering is not meant to restrict us but to guide us toward a life that honors Him and benefits us.

Peter's letter to persecuted believers emphasizes the importance of unity, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and humility. These virtues are not just ideals but practical ways to live out our faith in a world that often contradicts our beliefs. We are called to bless others, even when faced with evil or reviling, reflecting the example of Christ who laid down His life for us. This counter-cultural way of living is what Peter describes as the "upside-down kingdom of God," where we respond to hostility with grace and kindness.

Guarding our words and actions is crucial in maintaining our witness for Christ. Our words have the power to uplift or destroy, and as followers of Jesus, we must ensure that our speech reflects our faith. Similarly, our actions should seek peace and pursue good, demonstrating the love of Christ to those around us. This is not just a personal endeavor but a communal one, as our collective witness can transform families, communities, and even nations.

The power of a godly witness is evident in the stories shared today, from the impact of a forgiving family in a courtroom to the influence of a compassionate surgeon. These examples show that living out our faith can have far-reaching effects, touching lives in ways we may never fully realize. As we reflect on our own lives, we must ask ourselves if our words and actions align with our calling as followers of Christ. Knowing that God is watching, we strive to live in a way that pleases Him and draws others to His love.

Key Takeaways:

- The transformative power of faith is evident in the testimonies of Nick and Hayes, reminding us of the impact a godly witness can have within a family and community. Our lives should reflect the genuine conversion and relationship we have with God, rooted in His design for His glory and our good. [42:55]

- Peter's exhortation in 1 Peter 3 calls us to live with unity, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and humility. These virtues are practical ways to live out our faith in a world that often contradicts our beliefs, and they reflect the example of Christ who laid down His life for us. [47:46]

- Guarding our words is crucial in maintaining our witness for Christ. Our speech should reflect our faith, uplifting others and demonstrating the love of Christ. Our words have the power to change the trajectory of someone's day, and we must ensure they align with our calling as followers of Jesus. [59:13]

- Our actions should seek peace and pursue good, demonstrating the love of Christ to those around us. This is not just a personal endeavor but a communal one, as our collective witness can transform families, communities, and even nations. [01:07:00]

- The power of a godly witness is evident in the stories shared today, from the impact of a forgiving family in a courtroom to the influence of a compassionate surgeon. These examples show that living out our faith can have far-reaching effects, touching lives in ways we may never fully realize. [01:16:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Celebrating Baptisms
- [03:00] - Network Disruption Update
- [04:30] - Invitation to Wednesday Worship
- [06:00] - Introduction to 1 Peter 3
- [08:00] - God's Design for His Glory and Our Good
- [12:00] - Living Differently in a Hostile World
- [15:00] - Unity, Sympathy, and Brotherly Love
- [20:00] - Guarding Our Words
- [25:00] - Guarding Our Actions
- [30:00] - The Power of a Godly Witness
- [35:00] - Reflecting Christ in Our Lives
- [40:00] - Invitation to Respond
- [45:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
- [50:00] - Dismissal and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 3:8-12

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Observation Questions:

1. What virtues does Peter emphasize in 1 Peter 3:8-9, and how are they contrasted with the behaviors he advises against? [52:01]

2. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of a "godly witness" through the stories of Nick and Hayes? [01:16:13]

3. What examples from the sermon demonstrate the impact of guarding one's words and actions as a follower of Christ? [01:07:00]

4. How does the sermon describe the "upside-down kingdom of God," and what does this mean for how Christians should live? [52:01]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does Peter's exhortation to "bless" rather than "repay evil for evil" challenge common cultural responses to conflict? [52:01]

2. How does the sermon suggest that a godly witness can transform not just individuals but entire communities or even nations? [01:16:13]

3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between God's design for our lives and the virtues listed in 1 Peter 3:8-9? [47:46]

4. How does the sermon use the example of a compassionate surgeon to illustrate the power of living out one's faith in everyday life? [01:16:13]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent situation where you were tempted to repay evil for evil. How might you respond differently in light of Peter's exhortation to bless instead? [52:01]

2. Consider your own family or community. How can you be a godly witness like Nick and Hayes, and what specific actions can you take to influence those around you positively? [01:16:13]

3. Think about your daily interactions. Are there specific words or actions you need to guard more closely to better reflect your faith in Christ? What steps can you take to improve in this area? [59:13]

4. Identify a person or situation in your life where you can actively seek peace and pursue good. What practical steps can you take this week to embody this calling? [01:07:00]

5. Reflect on the concept of the "upside-down kingdom of God." How can you incorporate this counter-cultural way of living into your daily routine, especially in challenging situations? [52:01]

6. How can you cultivate the virtues of unity, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and humility in your relationships? Choose one virtue to focus on this week and describe a specific action you will take to develop it. [47:46]

7. Knowing that God is watching, what changes do you feel prompted to make in your life to ensure that your words and actions align with your calling as a follower of Christ? [01:07:00]

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Faith
The transformative power of faith is vividly illustrated through the testimonies and baptisms of Nick and his son, Hayes. Their stories serve as a powerful reminder of the profound impact a godly witness can have within a family and community. When individuals live out their faith authentically, it not only reflects their genuine conversion and relationship with God but also influences those around them. This transformation is rooted in God's design, which exists for His glory and our good. By aligning our lives with His purpose, we become vessels of His love and grace, capable of touching lives in ways we may never fully realize. [42:55]

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Reflection: Think of a family member or friend who might be impacted by your faith. How can you intentionally demonstrate your faith to them today in a way that reflects God's love and grace?


Day 2: Living with Unity and Humility
Peter's exhortation in 1 Peter 3 calls believers to live with unity, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and humility. These virtues are not merely ideals but practical ways to live out one's faith in a world that often contradicts Christian beliefs. By embodying these qualities, believers reflect the example of Christ, who laid down His life for humanity. This counter-cultural way of living, described as the "upside-down kingdom of God," challenges believers to respond to hostility with grace and kindness, thereby becoming a beacon of hope and love in a divided world. [47:46]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: Consider a situation where you are tempted to respond with anger or frustration. How can you choose to respond with unity, sympathy, and humility instead?


Day 3: The Power of Guarded Words
Guarding our words is crucial in maintaining our witness for Christ. Our speech has the power to uplift or destroy, and as followers of Jesus, it is essential that our words reflect our faith. By choosing to speak words that uplift and demonstrate the love of Christ, believers can change the trajectory of someone's day and potentially their life. This intentionality in speech is a reflection of one's calling as a follower of Jesus, and it serves as a testament to the transformative power of faith. [59:13]

Proverbs 15:4 (ESV): "A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit."

Reflection: Reflect on your recent conversations. Is there someone you need to speak life into today? How can you intentionally use your words to encourage and uplift them?


Day 4: Pursuing Peace and Goodness
Our actions should seek peace and pursue good, demonstrating the love of Christ to those around us. This pursuit is not just a personal endeavor but a communal one, as the collective witness of believers can transform families, communities, and even nations. By actively seeking peace and goodness, believers embody the teachings of Christ and become agents of change in a world that desperately needs hope and love. This commitment to living out one's faith through actions is a powerful testament to the impact of a godly witness. [01:07:00]

Romans 12:18-21 (ESV): "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you can actively pursue peace and goodness. What specific action can you take today to demonstrate the love of Christ in that situation?


Day 5: The Far-Reaching Effects of a Godly Witness
The power of a godly witness is evident in the stories shared, from the impact of a forgiving family in a courtroom to the influence of a compassionate surgeon. These examples illustrate that living out one's faith can have far-reaching effects, touching lives in ways that may never be fully realized. As believers reflect on their own lives, they are encouraged to consider whether their words and actions align with their calling as followers of Christ. Knowing that God is watching, believers strive to live in a way that pleases Him and draws others to His love. [01:16:13]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you had the opportunity to be a godly witness. How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time to let your light shine more brightly?

Quotes



"And Hayes has an awesome testimony and what an amazing witness of a mom and dad that had prioritized faith in their family. And Hayes' testimony is that he prayed with his parents at home a few years ago and asked Jesus Christ to save him from his sin. And then subsequently, as he has grown in his faith and had conversations with his folks, he has decided that he wanted everyone to know through believer's baptism in this public profession of what God has done within." [00:19:46] (29 seconds)


"Now, continuing the conversation here in 1 Peter, we know the apostles writing to persecuted believers, suffering for their faith that runs in contradiction to the culture and the context in which they live. And I just want to remind us that anytime we read a biblical exhortation, as students of God's word, it's important that we understand that God's word and the exhortations, like what we're going to read here in 1 Peter chapter 3, that are found there within it are always rooted. Their origin is sourced in the ordering of God." [00:38:35] (36 seconds)


"It's sourced in the design of God. So when you read these biblical exhortations that are instructing Christians, calling Christians up, and commanding Christians to live in a manner that is evidencing your genuine conversion, your genuine relationship with God, they're rooted in his order. They're rooted in God's design. And what we understand about God's ordering, what we understand about the design of God is that it exists to accomplish. God's design exists to accomplish two very specific things. The first is God's design, his ordering is always for his glory." [00:39:46] (45 seconds)


"God's ordering, his design is for God's glory, so that God's glory can be seen, so that God's glory can be experienced, so that God's glory may be known. So if you have ever witnessed a beautiful sunrise, if you have ever sat on the beach and watched a magnificent sunset, the Bible says in Psalm 19 that the heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. That's God revealing to you and I his glory. If you've seen a life transformed by the person and work of Jesus, that's God bringing you in and showing us a glimpse of his glory." [00:40:32] (40 seconds)


"Here's the second thing that God's ordering, his design, is always intended for, and that is our good. God's ordering, his design is always for our good. I just want to remind you in love that God is not a cosmic killjoy who's out to ruin your fun or mine, but rather rooted in his love, God wants good for us. Why? Because he loves us. Romans 5 .8 says, but God demonstrates his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died." [00:41:12] (37 seconds)


"Sometimes that context is within the family. Sometimes that context is within the workplace. Sometimes that context is within the culture at large. And Peter says, okay, so in light of your context that holds to a conviction different than your own, here's what it looks like to be obedient in your following of Christ. And so believers are to live and love differently. Why? Because we are in fact different as someone who's been changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ." [00:42:53] (30 seconds)


"Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous. His ears are open to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Now there's essentially two ideas Peter is showing in contrast one to another. He is teaching by way of comparison. The Bible does this often. It's in fact a way in which Jesus often taught. It's the juxtapositional method where you're comparing two opposites." [00:45:01] (32 seconds)


"It's the idea of if you want this outcome, then live in this particular way. And if you don't want this outcome, then live in a way that is opposite of that. And so Peter's now writing to the church, his exhortation to us. Again, he says, all of you, this is all of us. And he says, here's how we are called to live. And he says, Christians should do these things. Christians should not do these things. And instead you should do this. Look at what he says. Christians should have a unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." [00:46:03] (43 seconds)


"All of them should sound familiar. The idea of a unity of mind is agreement in thinking. And here's what Peter means is the church should not be divided. We should have an agreement in thinking. We should have a shared mindset. And in particular, now think of context here. He's saying the church should have a shared mindset about the things that confuse the culture, but God's word has made abundantly clear. You with me? Like there are going to be things we disagree about. Those may be peripheral things, but there's things that the culture's confused on. The church should be crystal clear. And he says that we should have a unity of mind. This is a shared mindset within the church. This is why I want to always encourage you and you hold us accountable. We would always want to be a people that are rooted in God's word." [00:46:59] (53 seconds)


"Now, James has just gone to meddling, am I right? I mean, he's stepping all over our toes, and he hadn't seen our online. Our words matter, fam. Our witness matters. Your words matter. My words matter. Here's the thing. We may, in fact, you may, in fact, have a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. The question is, do your words evidence that to be true? Do the things you say, the words you text, the posts you make, evidence to a watching world? Oh, yeah, I knew she belonged to God. For sure. Yeah, have you heard him talk? For sure he follows Jesus. I mean, that guy just, he just conducts himself differently." [01:00:25] (57 seconds)


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Transcript
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